The Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) Music Department presented its first concert of the 2019-20 school year on Oct. 24. Themed, “An Evening of Ensembles,” it featured student musicians performing in a variety of small and highly-skilled instrumental and vocal groups.
First Class Brass, an 11-member ensemble playing the tuba, euphonium, trombone, trumpet and other brass instruments, opened the show with “Dancing Queen,” arranged by Diego Marani. Following the performance, the Enharmonic Bells, an all-female woodwind ensemble, energized the crowd with Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” followed by a medley of songs by rap star Lizzo that was artfully composed by CAHS senior J’Niyya Challenger.
The evening continued with selections by clarinet, flute, percussion, trombone and saxophone ensembles. Ripples on the Lake, the high school’s all-male vocal ensemble, delivered an a cappella rendition of The Chordettes’ “Lollipop,” transporting the audience back to the 1950s. The highlight of the show was an ethereal steel pan performance of Beyonce’s “Brown Skin Girl” by the Mello-Hawks, arranged by Luben Daniel, chair of the Music Department.
The Jazz Combo blew the crowd away with a stunning juxtaposition of solos as students showcased their musical diversity to the backdrop of Joe Henderson’s “Blue Bossa.” BILAD drum ensemble closed the night with “Bringin’ The Noise” by Joe David Guzman.
The Charlotte Amalie High School Music Department will hold its Christmas concert at the school on Dec. 10.
